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Anemia and thrombocytopenia in children with Plasmodium vivax malaria

Alfonso J Rodríguez-Morales1, Elia Sánchez, Miguel Vargas

  • 1Environmental Health (Regional Malariology Office), Ministry of Health, Sucre, Venezuela.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|June 28, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Plasmodium vivax malaria often causes anemia and thrombocytopenia, requiring hospitalization. Prompt antimalarial treatment and supportive care led to successful recovery in all children, with no deaths.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Plasmodium vivax malaria is a significant global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Anemia and thrombocytopenia are common complications of P. vivax malaria, potentially leading to severe outcomes.
  • Understanding the clinico-epidemiological features of these complications is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients with P. vivax malaria.
  • To investigate the incidence and severity of anemia and thrombocytopenia in hospitalized children with P. vivax malaria.
  • To report treatment outcomes and complications in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 78 pediatric patients hospitalized with P. vivax malaria over a 3-year period in Sucre, Venezuela.
  • Data collection included clinical manifestations, paraclinical evaluations (hemoglobin, platelet counts), and treatment outcomes.
  • Statistical analysis of demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings.

Main Results:

  • Fever (93.59%), anemia (94.87%), and thrombocytopenia (58.97%) were prevalent among hospitalized children.
  • Severe anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 10.26% and 24.36% of patients, respectively.
  • All patients were successfully discharged after treatment with chloroquine and primaquine, with no mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmodium vivax malaria in children frequently presents with anemia and thrombocytopenia, necessitating hospitalization.
  • Effective antimalarial treatment and supportive care result in favorable outcomes, even in cases with severe hematological complications.
  • Persistent mild thrombocytopenia may occur post-treatment in a subset of pediatric patients.

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